COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS: IF THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WORKERS COMP WON’T COVER IT

The Truth About Work-Related Travel May Be More Complicated Than You Think

The Myth: If you’re injured in a car accident while driving somewhere, it can’t be a workers compensation claim because you weren’t actually at work.

The Truth: Not necessarily. Where an accident happens isn’t always the only thing that matters. In some situations, why you were traveling and where you were going can also become important questions in determining whether an injury is work-related.

That’s exactly what became an issue in this specific case. An employee left a work office after briefly meeting with a coworker and was expected to travel to another work location. But instead of taking the route others normally used, he turned in the opposite direction. After a tragic accident occurred shortly afterward, that single turn became an important part of the workers compensation dispute.

The insurance carrier questioned whether he was really traveling for work or had made a personal deviation. His family maintained that he was still headed to the work site, which could be reached by more than one route. A coworker also confirmed that, shortly before leaving, he had said he was heading there.

The lesson isn’t that every accident that happens while driving is covered by workers compensation. Every situation is different. But don’t automatically assume an injury can’t be work-related simply because it happened away from your regular workplace or while you were behind the wheel. Sometimes the details surrounding why you were traveling, where you were going, and what you were doing for work can make all the difference.

If you have questions about a work injury involving travel, Just Work Comp Law is here to help. We’re happy to answer your questions, help you understand your options, and we’ll even tell you if you don’t need an attorney.

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